ASP Manlafi Sanyang, head of the Vehicle Logistic Unit at State House, WO2 Bakary Camara, a senior presidential bodyguard and Momodou Lamin Sonko, managing director of Boto Construction Company Ltd, have been arrested and charged with three counts of conspiracy, theft and felony.

The trio were arraigned before Senior Magistrate Kayode Olajubutu of the Banjul Magistrates Court last Monday, less than a week after their arrest and detention at the State Central Prison.

According to the prosecution, the alleged crime of conspiracy is contrary to Section 368 of the Criminal Code; the alleged theft is contrary to Section 252 of the same code and the economic crime contrary to Decree No. 16 of 1994 which is punishable under Section 6 of the Criminal Code Cap 10 Volume III, Laws of The Gambia.

On count one, Bakary Camara, Manlafi Sanyang and Momodou Lamin Sonko on or about January 10, in the city of Banjul and diverse places in The Gambia, conspired to commit a felony. On count II, Bakary Camara, Manlafi Sanyang and Momodou Lamin Sonko, jointly stole a motor vehicle (registration No. BJL 4063 B), being the property of The Gambia government, while count states that the three accused persons stole a motor vehicle (registration No. BJL 4063B) which caused a loss to the economy of The Gambia.

Shortly after the charges were read, the three accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the three charges preferred against them.

Senior Magistrate Olajubutu disclosed his court's lack of jurisdiction to try the accused persons on the third count of economic crime, pursuant to Section 6 of the Economic Crime Decree and provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) Amendment Act.

He then quoted Section 3 of CPC Amendment Act:. "Where any charge has been brought against any person of an offence not triable by a subordinate court (magistrate court), the magistrate court may subject to Section 99 of CPC to remand that person to custody until such time that the matter is mentioned in the Supreme Court."

He therefore ordered for the three accused persons to remain in custody at the State Central Prison, until they are arraigned before a competent court which has the jurisdiction to try them on the charge of economic crime.

Inspector Touray represented the IGP in the trial.